A museum that holds pieces of our country's past was dedicated to a man who helped build it.

On Sunday, the Greenville Post 3 of the American Legion officially named the museum after Cecil D. Buchanan. More than 200 people attended the dedication ceremony.

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Back in the 1990s, local legion members met and brought their collections of war history and decided those items should be displayed. That idea turned into the American Legion War Museum and many credit Buchanan for creating it.

"Because of your hard work, even in times of peace, we will have a constant reminder to bring our children and grandchildren so they never forget that what they enjoy today, some people gave everything they have to make sure they enjoy it," Congressman Trey Gowdy said in his keynote speech.

Buchanan, a Korean War Veteran and Greenville's first county manager, said the museum gives the community an exclusive look into the country's past and gives children an education they're not taught in schools.

"They could pick up a book and read certain areas of wars and certain things that have happened there but here we can give them everything with every artifact that’s here," Buchanan said.

Gov. Nikki Haley awarded Buchanan the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor a civilian can receive. The former U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, presented it to Buchanan. He also read part of a message Haley wrote to Buchanan.

"South Carolina is blessed by your tremendous work and community service. Thank you for your efforts to make our state an even better place to live, work and learn."

When asked what he thought about the museum dedication, Buchanan said, "Actually I said no at first. I said I don’t deserve it."

He also said, "Well, honestly it makes me feel like I got a lot of friends."